Baloch militants attack Pakistan train, take over 100 passengers hostage

Baloch militants attack Pakistan train, take over 100 passengers hostage

Separatist militants opened fire on a passenger train in southwestern Pakistan on Tuesday, injuring the train driver, according to police and railway officials.

The train with over 400 passengers aboard was traveling from Quetta in Balochistan province to Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa when it came under attack, Reuters reported quoting railway authorities.

The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a militant separatist group, claimed responsibility for the assault in a statement, stating that they had 100 hostages from the train, including security personnel. However, there has been no official confirmation of the hostages being taken.

“The Baloch Liberation Army has carried out a strategic operation in Mashkaf, Dhadar, Bolan, seizing control of the Jaffar Express by derailing it. During the resistance, six military personnel were killed, while over 100 passengers have been taken into BLA custody,” BLA said in a statement.

Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind said that emergency measures have been enforced, and all institutions have been mobilized to address the situation.

“There are reports of intense firing at a Jaffar Express [train], which was heading from Quetta to Peshawar, between Pehro Kunri and Gadalar,” Rind said in statement, as reported by Dawn.

“The scale of the incident and the possibility of terrorist elements are being determined. The Balochistan government has ordered that emergency measures be taken, and all institutions remain active,” the statement further read.

It claimed that all hostages were “serving personnel of the occupying forces” and added that “women, children, and Baloch passengers” had been released.

“Among the hostages are active-duty personnel from the Pakistani military, police, Anti-Terrorism Force (ATF), and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI)-all of whom were traveling to Punjab on leave. The BLA issues a stark warning that if the occupying forces attempt any military intervention, all hostages will be executed,” it said.

“During this operation, BLA fighters have released women, children, and Baloch passengers, ensuring that all remaining hostages are serving personnel of the occupying forces,” it added.

For decades, separatist militant groups in Balochistan have waged an insurgency, frequently targeting the government, army, and Chinese interests while demanding a greater share of the region’s mineral wealth. The BLA has sought independence, accusing the government of exploiting Balochistan’s abundant gas and mineral resources

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